High Speed 1541 Disk Operation

We can still recall our first experi ing about for a usable disk copy pro While all these fixes addressed many ence with the 1541 disk drive. Actually gram. Those early programs took from aspects of the problem, they still did it was a 1540 disk drive that we were 30 to 40 minutes to back up an entire not resolve the basic issue. The 1541's running off a VIC 20 back in 1983. We disk. The initial improvements consis serial bus is essentially slow. Although had paidover S400 for it; in view of ted of a reduction in the number of disk fast loaders did alleviate the tedium for that princely sum, we were understand swaps needed to copy a disk with a sin some applications, most "serious" us ably disappointed when we found out gle drive from six to five and finally ers of the C-64 obtained very little that the 1540 was not completely com down to just three. benefit. Operations involving data files patible with the C-64 (but that's another Condilions pretty well stabilized for for word processors, spreadsheets and s(ory). It wasn't long after the luxury about a year until a young man in Ger databases were still slow. In particu of not using cassette tapes wore off that many discovered a high speed serial lar the saving or writing of data re we realized that the 1540/1 was not the bus technique and the era of three min mained a time-consuming process. speed demon we had hoped it would ute copiers was upon us. Thesewere This month we examine four prod be. In fact when applied to the much shortly followed by a variety of fast ucts which accelerate disk drive per larger programs of the C-64, ihe 1541 loaders, some in cartridge form and formance, three of which attack the was downright tedious. others on disk. Software publishers problem of the serial bus direcdy. They Nevertheless, those were still the latched on to the idea, and very soon do this using the most direct method daysof wonder and the discovery of mosl games had a built-in fast loader possible, entirely bypassing the serial just what our machines could do. It of some kind. Inthe end even Com bus. If you can handle the required wasn't long before we actually filled our modore saw the light and pretty much hardware hack, one of these products first box of 10 disks (at $3 to $4 dol corrected the problem with the C-128 may be the best investment you can lars per disk, no less) and started east and the 1571 disk drive. make for your C-64 and 1541.

DOLPHIN DOS Micro Accessories of S. A. TOP. Dol Commodore 64 and128 phin DOS We first encountered Dolphin DOS shown in at the Summer 1987 MARCA conven stalled in the tion. At that time Mark Grove of 1541. The Grapevine Data Products was doing 6502 micro some pretty impressive things witha processor C-64 and a 1541 which had Dolphin and 6522 DOS installed.In the course of a few VIA are from minutes we watched Mr. Grove load your drive; and run a selection of C-64 programs the addition at seemingly instantaneous speeds. As al RAM is at it turned out the load times were not the bottom instantaneous; however, we were able with the to count the seconds they took on the ROM directly fingers of one hand. This was with pro above it. grams which we knew would lake 1 I _ much longer to load under normal cir -"It BOTTOM: >- r • ' cumstances. «f. *■ *■* ■ -ill Dolphin VJi" rsi—Sn»*R "j, We subsequently found out that Dol . •: : -f .-=— ^ ' ''"■'Jl.1 DOS replace . HI phin DOS came from that land down : I i '.^"^USlT. ment Kernel below, South Australia to be precise, -Nil : \ i*. with its con ■ and that it was not available in the U.S. trol switch as :Mi O al that lime. Since Micro Accessories installed in ■ ■ I; ;* ofS.A. has expressedan interest in the '■• ."^ - —- •- '.*■ the C-64. . -, - <*■'■. U.S. market, we have decided to pre ' - sent a reviewof this product. We feel READER i ' SERVICE JJSM that the encouragement of development mm.; F :/;■■' | r . S 1111 NO. 231 along these lines will benefitthe Com- AHOY! 57 modore community. Unfortunately, the affecting the contents of memory, load Control Key distribution details for Dolphin DOS Commands ing, running, saving and listing pro were still not available as we went to grams to both the screen and theprint CTRL B Cursor to bottom of screen press. er, and quick access to the built-in CTRLG Cursor 20 columns right Dolphin DOS is a combination of memory monitor and its associated data CTRL L Delete to left of cursor hardware and firmware which equips .scroll functions. CTRL K Delete to right of cursor a C-64 and a 1541 disk drive witha Operation of the full screen editor CTRL @ Drive status full 8 bit, high speed parallel interface. has been enhanced with the inclusion CTRLD Display directory When Dolphin DOS is installed it en of control key commands. These are CTRL A Key repeattoggle dows the computer and disk drive with CTRL ' Copy screen to printer listed in the table at left. Note the use the ability to load 100 block program CTRLV Reset video display of the Commodore key for the last files in under three seconds. The save CTRLX Disable function keys command. time for this size file clocks in at un CTRL& Enable function keys As mentioned above. Dolphin DOS der seven seconds. These figures rep CTRLDEL Copy text to buffer and is provided with a built-in memory resent speed improvements, as com delete from screen monitor. This is minimal monitor im pared to the unadorned hardware,of C=OEL Retrieve text from buffer plementation, as it lacks the ability to 20 and 10 times respectively. The read assemble or disassemble 6502 code. ing and writing of sequential files is locking and unlocking of files, there The monitor does provide the capabil improved by a factor of 10 times. The by protecting them from inadvertent ity of displaying and modifying the manipulation of relative files shows the erasure. In addition the disk drive it contents of memory in cither hex or least benefit, withan improvement of self acquires the option to read and ASCII. Instead of scrolling the screen only a factor of three. In exchange the write out (o track 40. This increases in the usual manner, blocksof data may C-64 loses the ability to access the cas the disk storage capacity by85 blocks be paged forward or backward. sette recorder, which we feel is a rea or 21 kilobytes. As an added bonus, the If the computer is fitted with a reset sonable compromise. alleged save with replace bug has sup button, thena RESET/SPACE will In addition to the raw speed enhance posedly been fixed. autostart a program in the $8000 block. ment, Dolphin DOS provides some im The function keys take on new mean BASIC programs can be retained in provements to the operating environ ing with Dolphin DOS, 12 meanings memory witha RESET/RUN STOP ment. To start with, the LOAD com to be exact. The extra four meanings combination. A RESET/1 will fill mand defaults to the disk drive as de are accessed by pressing the Commo memory with zeroes, whilea RESET/ vice number 8. Access to the disk com dore key along with a function key. The CTRL jumps into the monitor. mands is simplified bya full-featured function keys issue frequently used The manual also indicates that a DOS wedge. The disk drive's command commands which involve the disk Centronics printer connected to the us repertoire is extended to include the drive, displaying thedirectory without erport is directly supported as device number 4. We did not verify this, as TOP: the Dolphin DOS user port connector RapiDOS is not provided witha pass through, components although one is supposedly available. in the 1541. With regard to compatibility with Clockwise commercial software, Dolphin DOS from top performed very well. Most of the pro [eft: circuit grams we tried worked without any board with problems. If compatibility problems do new 6522 occur, then Dolphin DOS may be man VIA, cable ually disconnected in stages as re to user quired. The built-insoft switches can port, main be used tocut outthe fast load, dese circuit lect the extra RAM in the disk drive, board. and deselect the parallel bus. As a last BOTTOM: resort you can electrically switch off In the 64: Dolphin DOS entirely via separate tog Kernal gle switches on the computer and the ROM on disk drive. left, user Dolphin DOS requires installation in port adapter both the disk drive and the computer. with control The disk drive hardware can be in switch to stalled only on the short board version right. of me 1541 disk drive. If you have one READER of the original long board versions of SERVICE NO. 232 the 1541, or a 1541C, then Dolphin DOS is not for you. To start with, youopen

60 AHOY! REVIEWS

up your disk drive and remove ihe in 1541 disk drive, take a close look at switching between drives 8 and 9, and ternal radio frequency shield. This RapiDOS. This is a hardware/firmware a key to disable ihe function keys), and should be put aside,as it wilt not fit modification to the C-64 and 1541 drive an IRQ ML monitor. The key defini once Dolphin DOS is installed. The that will make your system zip along tions were wisely selected. As for the 6502 microprocessor and the adjacent at speeds you neverthought possible. monitor, it displaysa screen full of hex 6522 VIA chips are removed and the I know what you're thinking: "Another as well as the corresponding ASCII Dolphin DOS circuit board is installed speed-up system—111 have to resave all characters, and allows for very fast in the empty sockets. The 6502and the my files in this new format!" You won't scanning through memory in several 6522 are thenreplaced on the Dolphin have to do that with RapiDOS. Unlike directions. While the monitor's com DOS circuit board. the Epyx Vorpal system, or DigiDOS, mand set is quite limited (LOAD, The 1541 board contains 32 kilobytes this new offering reads and writes in SAVE. CHANGE MEMORY, CON of ROM and some additional RAM. standard Commodore format. It reads VERT HEX/DECIMAL, ACCESS We could not determine the exact quan practically all that expensive software WEDGE, JUMP TO ML ROUTINE, tity of add-on RAM, asthe chip's iden sitting on your shelves, including all and EXIT), it is a worthy addition. tifying marks were removed. A multi- your BASIC programs. And in cases Other CPU features include options to conductor ribbon cable is routed out where the software doesn't already have freeze the screen scrolling, clear to end the back of the disk drive to ihe com its own fastboot or fastload routines of line andend of screen, grab a logi puter's user port and a verysmall tog built in, RapiDOS will make those pro cal screen line and print it elsewhere gle switch is mounted on the front of grams screech from the disk to RAM. on screen, switch uppercase to and the drive. The toggle switch is used to Most of the disk operations required from lowercase, escape quote/insert disable Dolphin DOS at the disk drive. by the software will be executed fast mode,and move cursor to bottom left We had to replace the toggle switch er, too. And, you'll get some improve corner of screen. There is a lo-res with one of our own, as the original ments added to the computer. screen dump (in text mode) always did not survive the installation process. Included are three IC chips: oneKer available, and the ability to POKE, At the C-64 you will have to remove nal ROM for the computer and a Ker- PRINT, and calculate in hex, octal, and the original kilobyte Kernal ROM and nal ROM and new VIA chip for the binary, and do conversions between replace it with the 16 kilobyte ROM drive, as well asa parallel cable and thesethree number systems too. The which is supplied with Dolphin DOS. an interface board for the user port of results of the calculations, if printed, This may present a problem for many the CPU. The interface board contains are always in decimal, but you would users, as not al! C-64's have socketed a reset button as well asa switch to dis need to upgrade to RapiDOS Profes Kernal ROMs. Kernal ROM replace able RapiDOS. If you're lucky, the sional (see following review) to get ment may entail the unsoldering of the CPU Kemal will already besocketed decimal to hex conversions. Device 8 existing chip and the installation of a andyou can just unplug the old Kernal becomes thedefault device(no more socket. The Dolphin DOS Kernal and plug in the new one. If you're not typing ,8 all the time) and devices 1 ROM actually contains a copy of the lucky, you'll need to find someone ex and 2 are illegal. Also, the STOP key C-64's original ROM aswell as the re perienced at soldering to make this is much more responsive in aborting placement Kernal. A miniature toggle change for you. Be forewarned thatthis a load. switch lets you choose between thetwo. modification will void your warranty Loads can take many formats: relo if it's still in force. As for the drive, cating, non-re locating, fast, slow but Conclusion both the Kernal ROM and the VIA use parallel lines, first file on disk, and Dolphin DOS provides a remarkable chip arc socketed (except for the don't change "endof BASIC" pointers. improvement in the performance of the 1541C). making this phase of the in Device 4 is the default device for the 1541 disk drive. If you have the right stallation fairly simple. Follow the in OPEN command, and the system will hardware andyou can handle the in structions very carefully and seat the look for a parallel printer first. All keys stallation, then go for it. Unfortunate chips properly, lest you bend the leads repeat on the fester RAM power-up, ly, the lack of the domestic distribu and make trouble for yourself. cursor speed is increased by about tion of Dolphin DOS may present a real I received a preliminary manual with 25 %, fast loads show start andend ad problem. We had to make a tripto the my RapiDOS, but it was very clear and dresses, and there is an improved AND airport just to get our sample through concise. Therewere step by step in function algorithm. All these features customs. structions and plenty of sketches of all make RapiDOS a fine improvement to Micro Accessoriesof S.A., Unit 8 three possible drive models to avoid the C-64, but the best is yet to come. Hewittson Road, Elizabeth West, South confusion. These sketches included As advertised, RapiDOS loads Australia 5113 (phones: 08-287-0191. views of the boards before and after in BASIC and ML programs at tremen 08-252-0881). -Morton Kevelson stalling RapiDOS. I could find no fault dous speeds. 202 block files will load with the installation instructions that in 15 seconds, compared to 2 minutes RAPIDOS the manufacturer hadn't already correc and 12 seconds viathe serial bus. 59 Chip Level Designs ted by the time I spoke with him. block files will load in 5 seconds, com Commodore 64 The major improvements in the CPU pared to 38 seconds viathe serial bus. 1541 version $49.95; 1541C $59.95 include a DOS wedge, eight predefined File handling from within programs is If you've been looking for an alterna function keys (LOAD, SAVE, a DI faster too, although the actual speed is tive to the sloooow operation of the RECTORY key, LIST, RUN, a key for dependent on the logic of the control- AHOY! 61 ling program. I tried a 59 block Speed- RapiDOS is a complete, profession program file loaded in just 4 seconds script file (prg file) and got it loaded ally developed addition to the C-64/ and saved in10 seconds. A 100 block in 7 seconds instead of 41 seconds. An 1541 system that any serious user program file barely required 2 seconds Easy Script file (seq file) of the same should consider. Compatibility is very (o load. Our 50 block test file loaded size loaded in 15 seconds instead of 43 high and when there is a problem, re so fast that il was difficult to gel anac seconds. turning to the standard C-64/I541 set curate reading of the lime il took. In The key to maximizing the speed of up is only a reset button away. There Easy Scrip! we were able to read in a RapiDOS is that the files must be is even a measure of compatibility with 42 block text file in a bit over six sec written in standard Commodore 1541 the 1764 RAM Expander. If you have onds. A side effect of the high trans format, meaning that the interleaving a second drive (without RapiDOS), all fer speed and the extra RAM in the of blocks is critical. Some file copying the CPU features are still available, in disk drive is that performance is not programscopy files in [541 format, but cluding the wedge and function keys. affected by thesector interleave. the interleaving is different, so Rapi Chip LevelDesigns, P.O. Box 603, RapiDOS Professional requires the DOS takes a little longer to load these Astoria, OR 97103-0603 (phone: 503- installation ofa substantial amount of files (20 seconds for 202 blocks). Files 861-1622). -Donald Graham hardware in the 1541 disk drive. Sol written on the 1571 drive do not use dering should not be required, as all the same interleavingas the 1541. even RAPIDOS PROFESSIONAL the affected chips will normally be soc though a 1541 can read files written on Chip Level Designs keted. As with RapiDOS, you start by a 1571. Just remember (hat if the file Commodore 64 with 1541 removing the 1541*8 Kcrnal ROM and was saved on a 1541, then RapiDOS Price: $99.95 one of the 6522 VIA chips. A modi will be most effective. Other drive en If we piqued your interest with Rapi fied VIA chip on a custom mounting hancements include faster head move DOS, and if you want to squeeze the board is then installed and a parallel ment and drastically reduced head maximum possible performance out of cable is hooked up and routed out the banging, as well as a 24 second format your 1541, you may just be ready for back of the drive over the power con with full data verification. There is RapiDOS Professional. RapiDOS Pro nector. even ,i "scratch-protect" command that fessional has the same operating fea The VIA circuit board is a marvel will toggle this flag on a file, thereby tures as RapiDOS withafew extras of ingenuity. Some of the chip's pins eliminating the accidental scratching of thrown in. The most notable addition remain in their default downward ori a file. is the ability to format the disk out to entation and are inserted into the 154i's 40 tracks, which adds85 blocksof socket. The remaining pins are bent storage space. This feature can even be upward and are connected to an add applied lo disks which have previously on circuit board which rests on the been formatted and already have data chip's back. A conservative designer on tliL'in without losing any of the exist might even consider ihe arrangement LOTTO ing information. If your disk is com to be a real kludge. We look upon it pletely full it will no longer need lo he as the product of creative thinking. WITH YOUR HOME COMPUTER! so with RapiDOS Professional. Of Unlike RapiDOS, the extracted disk Use your home computer and Soft- course 1541s which do not have Rapt- drive Kernal ROM is not directly re Byle's amazing new "Lotto Program" to DOS Professional will not be able to placed.Instead the 6502 microproces gel more winning tickets. access the extra data. sor is removedfrom its socket on the In just seconds this software analyzes The rest of the additional features are disk drive and a 5Vi" circuit board is past winners and produces a powerlul installed in its place. The 6502 is then probability study on easy-to-read charts. associated with the extra hardware pro With a single press c[ a key, you'll see vided with RapiDOS Professional. Soft replaced in a socket on this add-on cir trends, patterns, odds/evens, sum lotals, switches let you turn offthe extra cuit board. The add-on board is fitted number frequencies, and much more. Il RAM, the fast save, the write verify, with 32 kilobytes of ROM which con also includes automatic number wheeling, and the fu!l track buffering. These tains a copy of the original 1541 Ker instant updating, and a built-in tutorial. measures may beused to improve com nal plus the RapiDOS operating sys Ask your softwaredealer. patibility widi some software. The disk tem for the 1541. The board also adds APPLE, IBM, and Commodore 124.95 Atari, Hadio Shack 121.95 drive's error channel report has been eight kilobytes of RAM lo the disk Macintosh (requires M/S basic) . . . .129.95 extended to indicate the status of the drive. Back-up Copies 13.00 extra features. The preliminary man Installation of the circuit board in a Add $2.00 shipping and handling. Credit card orders approved hy phoneand shipped same day. ual failed to mention the ability to blank short board version of the 1541 presen Make checks payable to SOFT-BYTE and mail lo: the screen while loading. The com ted no problems. However, we ran into P.O. Box 556 Forest Park mand which does the screenblanking some difficulties with an original long Dayton, Ohio 45405 is @DL+. The primarypurpose of the board version of the drive. The circuit 513 screen blanking is to provide compat board failed to clear the shield cansof ibility with PAL video systems and 50 the disk drive's clockby a silly milli Soft- 2781110 Hz power supplies. meter. We got around the problem by Byte The bottom line is of course speed, extending the 6502 socket by stacking and RapiDOS Professional comes two additional sockets in it. When the through in this regard. A 204 block job was done the disk drive's cover 62 AHOY! REVIEWS

would not fit all the way down. The tically recognizea parallel printer, as preliminary manual indicated that a device number four, connected to the similar modification is required for the user port. Data sent to this printer will 1541C. There are at least four varieties be automatically translated from of the 1541 circuit board (hat we are PETSCII or ASCII. Chip Level De now aware of. RapiDOS Professional signs can providea cable which con should be able to fit in any one of these. nects to the disk drive port, located on On the computer side you will have the user port board, for connection to Burst-ROM replaces the C-64 oper to remove the Kernal ROM and replace the printer. it with the RapiDOS Professional Ker ating system in the C-128. Wires at nal. This ROM contains a copy of the Conclusions right lead to control switch; leads at left terminate in C-128 micro-chips. original C-64 Kernal as well as the RapiDOS Professional is the most ef READER SERVICE NO. 233 RapiDOS operating system for the C- fective device for speeding up the 1541 64. An adapter board is installed in the disk drive which we have seen. This user port for the parallel connection to is fortunate,, as it is the only device of drive over the C-64 and 1541 is the in the disk drive. Connectors are provid its kind currently available in this coun creased data transfer speed between the ed for use with two disk drives. A min try. Once again Chip Level Designshas two units. One of the benefits of the iature slide switch on the user port demonstrated their expertise as applied C-128 upgrade path is the total compat board disables RapiDOS in both the to Commodore disk drive technology. ibility of new hardware with the exist computer and the disk drive. The adap Chip Level Designs, P.O. Box 603, ing base of C-64 software and peripher ter board does not providea pass Astoria, OR 97103-0603 (phone: 503- als. Unfortunately, the 128's C-64 em through for the user port. If you wish 861-1622). -Morton Kevelson ulation did not implement the new fast to use a modem with RapiDOS Pro data transfer of the C-128 mode. Now fessional, simply pull out the user port C-128 BURST ROM thanks to Chip Level Designs, it is pos board. This will automatically disable Chip Level Designs sible to have the best of both worlds. RapiDOS. A version of this ROM Commodore 128 Inthe C-128 there is a single !6 kilo board is alsoavailable for the C-128 in Price: $38.95 byte ROM which contains the entire C-64 mode. One of the many improvements of C-64 operating system. When the RapiDOS Professional will automa the C-128 computerand the 1571 disk C-128 is poweredup in C-64 mode, or

PURE-STAT BASEBALL PURE-STAT COLLEGE PURE-STAT BASEBALL is a complete statistical BASKETBALL baseball simulation for zero, oneor Imj players, that PURE-STAT COLLEGE BASKETBALL is a com also includes a built-in STAT COMPILER ano1 a pro plete statistical basketball simulation forzero, one gram to TRADE PLAVERS. GAME PLAY, MANAG or two players, that also includesaSTAT COMPILER. ER'S DECISIONS, GRAPHICS and a complete sta The game uses coaching strategy and player sta- tistical library establish PURE-STAT BASEBALL as tistics to determine the outcome ot each play, while the ULTIMATE SPORTS SIMULATION program. graphically depicting the sequence with10 ani PURE-STAT BASEBALL'S underlying statistical mated players on a Basketball court. The game framework simulates the realities of baseball like comes with 20 all time great college teams from never before. Within this framework the program past and present, and with an optional CREATE considers each PLAYER'S BATTING STATISTICS TEAM DISK the statistics for any college team from AGAINST both LEFT and RIGHTHANOED PITCH any division can be entered. ERS, along with the graphics and attributes of every Ratal I price: $39.95 MAJOR LEAGUE STADIUM from Ihe optional STA Available for: Commodore 64/128, IBM PC, and DIUM DISK. Every PLAYER'S FIELDING. BASE- APPLE II RUNNING and THROWING ABILITIES are also con sidered. Optional TEAM DISKS are available. Retail price: S39.35 Available for: Commodore 64/128. IBM PC, and APPLE I

FOOTBALL FOOTBALL simulates all physical aspects of the game of football down to the finest detail, while you are controlling the movement of key players on the field. Foi one or two players FOOTBALL sets new standards in both REALISM and PLAYABILSTY using anoverhead 30 perspective of ttie football field giv ing full view of all 22 animated players Every offen sive receiver and running back has different indi vidual physical attributes (SPEED. POWER. AND CATCHING ABILITY). Each player's performance characteristics help you determine how and when to use thatplayer most effectively. Each quarterback has unique abilities for SHORT, LONG or FLAT PASSES, and linebackers have power ratings for tackling ability. 959 MAIN ST. SUITE 204 Retailprice: $29.95 Available for: Commodore 64/128, and IBM PC STRATFORD, CT 06497 (203) 377-4339

AHOY! 63 REVIEWS MUST SELL after the GO64 command is executed, original C-64 operating system when SAVE OVER 70%! the microprocessor executes only the ever it is required. Simply flip the code which is stored in this ROM. The switch and press the C-128's reset but C-128 Burst-ROM is a direct replace ton, and you're back in operation. ^Commodore \ ment for the C-64 mode ROM in the The presence of C-128 Burst-ROM C-128. It is actually a 32 kilobyte ROM is easily recognized by its gray on black

which contains a complete copy of the screen colors and the display of start LOGO original C-64 ROM in addition to its ing and ending load addresses when own Burst-DOS operating system. ever a fileis loaded in. You may also The installation of the C-128 Burst- notice shorter waiting times associated ROM is a two step process. First (he with disk operations. For example, a original C-64 mode ROM is removed 59 block program file loads in 6'A sec and the C-128 Burst-ROM circuit board onds with C-128 Burst-ROM as com is installed in its place. Thisshould not pared to 38 seconds without it. Other present a problem, since as far as we operations may be speeded up as well. know all C-128's have socketed ROMs. We found a 42 block Easy Script file EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE However, if your C-128 does have its read in 12 seconds with C-128 Burst- Make Learning Come Alive! It's fun and C-64 ROM soldered in place, skilled ROM versus 29 seconds without it. exciting when youuse this Commodore surgery will be required. Note that we C-128 Burst-ROM does more than Logo Educational Software. Now children and adults can explore malh concepts. referred to a replacement circuit board speed up disk operations and display With list processing. Logo can be inte as opposed to a simple ROM. This cir load addresses. In exchange for the loss grated into language arts and other cuit board carries wires which hook up of the cassette routines, C-128 Burst- curriculum. Color graphics, on-screen lext. and enhanced music capabilities to other points in the C-128. ROM provides a built-in DOS wedge encourage active, hands-on problem To gain access to the ROMs you will and other operating enhancements. solving. Take advantage of the LOW price. have to open up the C-128 andremove Disk commands are sent to the drive Order today...and putthelun back into learning! the metal radio frequency shield which by simply preceding them with the tra • Logo is a Powerful ComputerLanguage covers the circuit board. This shield has ditional @ or > wedge characters. The for Learning, Used in Many Elementary a number of fingers or tabs which come directory may be read without affecting Schools Across theNalion. • Easy to Use tor the Novice or Expert. down and contact the major chips. The the contents of memory. Even files may • Encourages Experimentation. installation instructions suggest that the be displayed on the screen by the use • Enjoyable and User Friendly. shield be left out to avoid shorting out of the exclamation point as a DOS • Text Can be Put on Screen for Labeling Pictures, Word Games, More. the C-128 Burst-ROM's circuit board. command, as in @!fiJename or > !file- • Changeable Texl Color Capability. Since the metal fingers serve to remove name. The left SHIFT key or the • Comes with Detailed Information Book heat from the major chips, we suggest SHIFT LOCK key may be used to stop let. Language Disk and Utility Disk, • Works with the Commodore 64. 64C that the shield be reinstalled with a screen scrolling. and 128 Computers wilh a Compatible piece of insulating tape over the C-128 Additional keyboard enhancements, Disk Drive. Burst-ROM. which involve the CONTROL key, are 90-Day Limited Factory Warranty. To complete the installation, there provided as per the following list: Ust:*69.00 are five additional wires which have to CONTROL & left arrow: moves the Liquidation Price . *19 be connected at various points in the cursor to the bottom left corner. C-128. Each of these wires is termina CONTROL & CLR/HOME: clears Hem H-3364-7342-074 S/H: $4.50 each ted in a miniature, spring-loaded test to end of screen. Credit card customers can order by clip which readily grabs hold of a com CONTROL & INST/DEL: clean; to phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ponent lead. Two of these wires go to end of line. Toil-Free: 1-800-328-0609 ferrite leads along the back of the CONTROL & +: grabs rest of board. The instructions suggest that screen lineinto the cassette buffer. SEND TO; Irjl'l '*I ~J Aulhorized Liquidator you scrape the conneclion points be CONTROL & -: reprints the grab 1405 Xerlum Lane N'Minneapolis, MN 55441-4494 fore hooking up. Wfe found out the hard bed screen line, Serd Commodore Educational Software Pack age (■) Hem H-3364-7342-071 at SI9 escn, Elm H 50 each lor way that this was more than a sugges CONTROL & *; performs a text insured shipping nandhng (Minnesota residents odd 6% sales to* SonynoCOD orders) tion. The leads seemed to be covered screen dump to serial device 4 or to D My check or money order is encrosed|No delay! in with a factory coating which preven a userport Centronics printer. processing orders Dfl.d by check) ted electrical contact. If you have the CONTROL & N: switch to upper/ PLSASE CHECK □ Pi □ necessary skills you may wish to sol lower case. der the wires in place after tcsling out CONTROL & =: switch to upper PLEASE PRINT CLEARLV the installation. As a side benefit you case/graphics. will have a set of five test clips which The last two functions come in han can be used elsewhere. dy, asthe old COMMODORE-SHIFT A[)1 ■_ The installation is completed by rout key combination now works too fast to ing a pair ofwireswith a miniature be easily controlled. In additton,the slide switch through the cassette port. RUN STOP key will also cancel quote Sign Htrrj This switch lets you easily restorethe mode. Entering a shifted minus char-

AHOY! 65 REVIEWS

acter as a direct command will clear drive, and save and load Files. The READER SERVICE INDEX and fill memory with S2D. Entering a monitor does not include the ability to shifted plus character performs a re assemble or disassemble 6502 code.

PBge Company Svt No. set to power up conditions (same as The monitor works in real time, show SYS 64738). ing the contents of RAM as theyactu C-4 Access Software, Inc. 245 For convenience the function keys ally change. 48 Avantgarde 64 195 are programmed with eight commands Overall, C-128 Burst-ROM does 10 Brown Boxes 227 by C-128 Burst-ROM. These let you what it is supposed to. It gives you di Chip Level Designs 232 60 perform a single keystroke LIST, RUN, rect access tothe high speed hardware 233 63 Chip Level Designs or LOAD, display the directory, enter built into the 1571 and 1581 disk drives. 54 CinemaWare 225 the monitor, disable all the extra fea Drives not equipped with burst capa 15 CompuServe 209 tures. SAVE, and togglethe active de bilities, such as the 1541, are automa 24-29 Computer Direct 197 vice between 8 and 9. Additional fea tically recognized and may be chained 16 Computer Repeats, Inc. 196 tures include base number conversions with burst drives. As a bonusyou get 8 Cosmi 223 between decimal, hexadecimal, octal, a full-featured DOS wedge, a function C-3 CDA 211 and binary. There is an improved RND al memory monitor, and a number of

65 COMB — function, all keys repeat, and a faster other enhancements. If the combina 10 Data East 230 RAM test is performed onpower up. tion of features and enhancements gets 8 Datasoft 229 For machine language programmers in the way, they can be easily disabled. 8 Dune Systems 220 there is a built-in memory monitor. Chip Level Designs, P.O. Box 603, 41 Electronic Arts 194 This lets you examine and modify the Astoria, OR 97103-0603 (phone: 503- contents of RAM, access the disk 861-1622). -Morton Kevelson 6 FirebirdVAAoy.' Contest - 19 Firebird 201 41 Firebird 193 23 Free Spirit Software 213 i\hoy! 22 Garde 205 SUBSCRIBE 7 Hilech Expressions 216 44 intelliCreations 228 MOW! 58-59 Lyco Computer 198 AlKiyTt 57 Micro Accessories 231 53 Jflindscape 204 9 Monogram 219 31 Montgomery Grant 200 Whether you're an Amiga or Commodore 64/128 user, Ion In 40 Oceanic America 199 ternational Inc. publishes the blue-ribbon package of articles, pro 38 Q-Link 226 grams, news, and reviews to fit your needs. 12 Rent-A-Disc 217 37 S&S Wholesalers, Inc. 214 The subscription card bound between this page and thefacing 8 Second Source 221 page offers three ways to subscribe to Ahoy! (for Commodore 64 5 Soft Disk, Inc. 202 and 128 users) and Ahoyl's AmigaUser. 62 Soft-Byte 224 63 Software Simulations 235 Ahoy! is published 8 times a year, and Ahoyl's AmigaUser 4 Software Support Int'l 203 17 times a year. Youcan receive: 34 Sofhrare Support Int'l 236 42^43 Software Support Int'i 215 14 SOGWAP Software 206 Ahoy! only: 12 TVident Software 218 12 issues (IY2 years) or 24 issues (3 years) of Ahoy! 14 TC Electronics 208 11 Value Soft, Inc. 210 Ahoyl's AmigaUser only: 51 USS Photo 234 4 issues (1 year) or 8 issues (2 years)of Ahoy!'s AmigaUser C-2 Viking Tech 212 13 Wedgwood Rental 207 10 Xetec Inc. 222 Ahoy! and Ahoyi's AmigaUser: 8 issues of Ahoy! and 4 issues of Ahoyf's AmigaUser (1 year) or 46 Ahoy! Disk — 16 issues of Ahoy! and 8 issues of Ahoyl's AmigaUser (2 years) 64 \ In iy.' Back Issues —

66 Ahoy! Subscription — Please check the appropriate box on the card included here. If The publisher cannot assume responsibility you have any questions, please call 212-239-0855. for errors in the above listing.

66 AHOY!